Rad new Barnes & Noble joins Dean & Deluca at Plano hot spot

Rad new Barnes & Noble joins Dean & Deluca at Plano hot spot

New urban mixed-use complex Legacy West in Plano is further cementing itself as the center of the universe by adding a new Barnes & Noble concept store to its growing list of tenants. The new 9,000-square-foot store, which will feature a restaurant with an expanded menu as well as beer and wine, is scheduled to open in March 2017.

Barnes & Noble VP David Deason says in a release that the store represents something new for the chain. "We are excited to be opening a smaller format store, as part of a number of different concept stores that we’re testing nationwide," he says.

According to an announcement from the company in June 2016, these stores will feature bars with wine and beer and "better food" in cafes that are twice the size of their usual food spots.

In addition to the standard cafe items, the new Barnes & Noble concept will serve a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu with waiter service. The company has hired an executive chef.

Barnes & Noble operates 640 bookstores and is the nation's largest retail bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media, and educational products. There are nine stores around Dallas.

But Legacy West represents one of five new concept stores for the chain, along with 2017 openings in New York, Minnesota, California, and Virginia.

"It provides the community a unique experience, where people can relax, discover great new books, or meet a friend to listen to an author speak and have a glass of wine," he says.

Barnes & Noble joins Dean & DeLuca, which will open its first location in Texas at Legacy West, which will be home to the North American headquarters of Toyota and FedEx Office. Restaurants already announced include Shake Shack, Taverna, Bistro 31, Toulouse, True Food Kitchen, North Italia, Eddie V's, Velvet Taco, Oishii, and Sprinkles Cupcakes.